Eocypselus vincenti
Eocypselus vincenti
View age-specific evidence and explanation
There are no currently eligible, unambiguously age-indexed published Occurrences for this Species. This does not indicate absence or rarity.
These counts describe published LBPS Occurrence records with directly assigned, unambiguous geological-unit mappings—not specimen abundance. Records at restricted Localities and ambiguous or unsupported ages are excluded. Species-level age labels are not used as proof of an age-specific Occurrence.
Specimen-based rarity requires comparable, correctly identified physical fossils, geological provenance and publication permissions. It does not estimate your chance of finding a fossil or collecting access.
Quick Identification
Look for: small Eocypselus type wing and shoulder bones preserving the diagnostic articular surfaces. Because several congeners now occur in the London Clay, an isolated small apodiform bone should usually remain Eocypselus sp. unless it can be compared directly with the type morphology.
Summary
Eocypselus vincenti is the historically established London Clay species of Eocypselus and represents an early stem member of the swift and hummingbird radiation. Like other eocypselids it retained comparatively generalised wing proportions, showing that modern apodiform flight specialisations were acquired later.
It was a small volant bird and probably fed on insects, with some degree of aerial foraging likely. The exact behaviour remains inferential. Modern work has shown that several closely similar Eocypselus species occur in the formation, so old isolated material should not automatically be assumed to be E. vincenti.
Diagnostic Features
- The skeleton shows the characteristic Eocypselidae combination of early apodiform features.
- The wing is less elongated and specialised than in living swifts.
- The species occupies the small size range within the London Clay Eocypselus assemblage.
- Modern species identification must distinguish it from the similarly small E. geminus.
- Associated elements and comparative proportions are more diagnostic than any isolated shaft fragment.
Fossil Details
Similar Species
Recorded Fossil Sites
No fossil-site occurrences have yet been recorded for this species.